Events

Thousands of events, big and small, are being organised each year by tourist information centres,
organisations, clubs, concert agents etc. Come and enjoy big ship festivals, community fêtes,
musical concerts from rock to clasic, open-air theatre and sports events just to mention a few. Join in
and get to know the country and its people.

Sailing events – Kieler Woche

Kieler Woche is the largest sailing event in the world and a major summer festival in the north of
Europe. It emerged from one of the big sailing regattas in 1882. Every year, Kieler Woche offers
9 days of racing at world-class-level, maritime atmosphere and international flair out in the open.
Multiple events take place on the water and ashore: about 100 big and traditional sailing ships
cruise on the Foerde, enjoy national and international stars in classical and rock concerts, food and
drink from around the world and lots more.

Hanse Sail

Once a year at the beginning of August the Hanseatic city of Rostock is host to the biggest local
festival of its kind in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Having started in 1990, around 300 ships from more than 10 nation follow the invitations each year
and come to the port of Rostock: traditional sailing ships, Windjammer, schooners, steam ice-breakers,
paddle wheel steamers, cutters, gaff schooners – you name it. Some of them are more than 100 years
old. Why not book a place on a ship while they are out on regattas and cruises?

At the time of the Hanse Sail the quaysides of Rostock and Warnemuende are dotted with rides, gift shops,
food and drink stalls. On several stages rock concerts and shows take place. Every time more than one
million guests throw themselves into the hustle and bustle and have a fabulous four days.

Open-air Theatre

Every June to September the natural open-air theatre in Ralswiek on the Island of Ruegen is host to a
spectacular show about pirates from the 14th century. The heart of the event are legends about
pirate Klaus Stoertebeker, Goedecke Michels and their Victual Brothers who fought for injustice and
against the greed of Hanseatic sovereigns. Each year a new story is being told.

In the 3-hour performance under the stars you will experience a splendid demonstration of skills
featuring 150 actors, 30 horses, 4 cogs as wells as highlights like special effects,
hazardous stunts, cracking fights out on the sea, unique falconer shows, tightrope walking and jugglers.
Each night the show culminates in breathtaking firework displays.

Vineta Festspiele

Legend has it that Vineta, an ancient town, was to be found in the Baltic Sea just off the beach of
Koserow on the island of Usedom. Old sea maps and thousand-year old chronicles verify the place of its
existence.

Nobody knows for sure, though. It could have also been somewhere completely different or just a myth.
Nevertheless, the story is set on the beach of Koserow. A young shepherd's boy is known to have seen
this legendary town emerging from the Baltic on Easter Sunday.

More than 50 actors, students of the Theatre Academy Zinnowitz as well as local hobby actors, present a
wonderful, fairy-tale like perfomance with modern music, exhilarating dances and fancy costumes. Enjoy a
night full of love and passion, dipped into a fantastic sea of lights and finished off with a
spectacular pyrotechnic and laser show.

Classical music festivals

Classical music festivals with top-class international artists have been an inherent part of the event's
diary for many years now.
Since its foundation in 1986 the Schleswig-Holstein-Music-Festival (short SHMF) is considered an
important international cultural highlight. Its uniqueness comes from the extraordinary venues where the
performances are hosted. Over a period of seven weeks more than 100 concerts are being held.

The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-Festival come into existence in 1990. Internationally celebrated
soloists, conductors, orchestras, choirs and young musicians present classical music at the highest level.

Every year in September/October the Usedom Music Festival takes place. It was first held in 1994
and has been an important musical event ever since. More than 10,000 guests enjoy a series of
concerts featuring composers from all over the world each time.

Rostocker Weihnachtsmarkt

Rostock's Christmas market is the largest in the north of Germany. From the end of November until just
before Christmas Eve the pedestrian area is transformed into a 3 km-long festive mall with
traditional food, drink and events.

Whatever you are looking for there is something to be found for all the family: a festively decorated
and illuminated inner city, a fairy-tale stage with seasonal programs and shows and of course Father
Christmas, a historical Christmas market with medieval handicraft, rides like the big wheel,
rollercoaster and Chair-O-Planes.

But celebrate and party you can all year round. The Hanseatic cities and seaside resorts host a range of
events and activities throughout the year like fêtes and festivals to start the holiday season,
pier and summer fêtes and the small local and community celebrations.

Join in the various festivities and get to know the country and its people as well as local culture,
food and drink.